Heidi Klum, Seal to Co-host Worldwide Orphans Foundation Benefit Gala

Worldwide Orphans Foundation (WWO) will honor CNN news anchor Anderson Cooper at its Sixth Annual Benefit Gala, November 1, 6:00 pm at Cipriani Wall Street in New York. Supermodel Heidi Klum and Grammy Award-winning singer Seal will co-host the evening gala, which will feature a special half-hour musical performance by Seal. WWO is dedicated to transforming the lives of orphaned children around the world. The 2010 Gala theme is ’...reaching out and reaching deep.’ CNN’s Cooper will receive the WWO Honorary Orphan Ranger award in recognition of his in-depth reporting on Haiti and outstanding coverage of Haiti’s orphaned and vulnerable children in the aftermath of the catastrophic earthquake that rocked the island on January 2010. "WWO is proud to honor Anderson Cooper for shining the spotlight for the world on the devastating impact of Haiti’s earthquake on orphaned and vulnerable children,’ said Dr. Jane Aronson, founder and CEO of WWO. ’I first met Anderson Cooper in Haiti following the earthquake and was impressed then and continue to be impressed now, with the depth of knowledge and thought he brings to every issue he covers.’ Special Guests attending the star-studded gala will include: actors Deborra-lee Furness and Hugh Jackman; actress Mary-Louise Parker; actor Liev Schreiber; actors Mariska Hargitay & Peter Hermann; actress Brooke Smith & Steven Lubensky; Broadway actress Christine Ebersole & Bill Moloney; fashion publicist Desiree Gruber and actor Kyle MacLachlan; Broadway director Kathleen Marshall & Scott Landis; and actress Donna Murphy & Shawn Elliot. Tony-award winning director Kathleen Marshall is the gala’s Entertainment Chair.